One dead, three injured after electrocution in Kansanga

KAMPALA - A 24-year-old man has tragically died by electrocution while helping move a tent in Kansanga, Kampala.

Police said they are investigating the death that occurred Friday morning in Ssebagala Zone.

Luke Owoyesigyire, the Kampala Metropolitan deputy Police spokesperson, named the deceased as Charles Nyanzi.

He said Nyanzi had gone to take part in the ongoing national ID registration and renewal exercise. While there, he and others were reportedly asked to help move a tent from the nearby Kansanga Seed Secondary School to Kansanga Police Post.

The tent was to be used to facilitate the ID registration and renewal exercise.

Owoyesigyire said that while carrying the tent, its metallic frame came into contact with a low-hanging high-voltage power line, resulting in the electrocution of Nyanzi and three other individuals.

Nyanzi was pronounced dead upon arrival at a health facility following failed attempts to save him at the scene.

The other three — Asuman Tanga, Girivasio Twinamasitko and Abraham Ntambi — survived but sustained serious injuries.

They were rushed to Real Medical Centre to receive first aid and extended medical attention.

'We saw them collapsing'

The evening before, area local councilor Dirisa Tebandeke — using a megaphone — had moved within the area to urge residents to show up for the ID registration and renewal exercise scheduled for the following day.

Nyanzi heeded that call, only for him to die under tragic circumstances.

“They were carrying a tent. The top part touched the electrical wires, and we saw them collapsing,” said Violet Nyanzi, an eyewitness. 

She said she immediately alerted the Police and called for help from nearby residents.

Rehema Nalubega, a community security helper. (Credit: Ibrahim Ruhweza)

“The one who died was bleeding from everywhere. Even after first aid, he couldn’t be revived. Another almost died too, but was resuscitated after his chest was compressed several times," said Nyanzi, the eyewitness.

A similar incident had reportedly occurred in the area only days prior.

Last Friday, four women are said to have been electrocuted while trying to erect the same tent for a village meeting. They were rescued in time and survived.

By observation, the electrical wires pass directly above Kansanga Police Post and the nearby residences of Police officers.

Rehema Nalubega, a community security helper, warned that if no proper guidance is provided or safety upgrades made, similar tragedies are bound to happen.

“This is the third time something like this has happened. No one is doing anything about it,” she claimed.

'I woke up in hospital'

Meanwhile, New Vision spoke to two of the survivors, who said they were a group a ten people.

“Only four of us were carrying the tent when the incident happened. The rest survived because they were behind and saw what happened in time," said Twinamasitko.
On his part, Ntambi blacked out when they got struck.

“I remember lifting the tent. Then I woke up in the hospital [Real Medical Centre] with burns on my hands and feet."